The holidays are here, and WinterFest is this weekend! WinterFest is a FREE event that celebrates the visual and performing arts. To learn more about this three-day festival featuring a variety of artists, local musicians and holiday programming check out our WinterFest page!

In addition to the great line-up of local musicians who will perform from the promenade during the weekend’s festivities, Hammons Hall will also welcome two amazing shows, Christmas with John Tesh and Big Smith Christmas, to our stage.

John Tesh, who has been described as a renaissance man, will perform on Friday at 8:00 p.m.  Tesh has been in the entertainment and broadcasting industries for over 25 years, co-hosting Entertainment Tonight for 10 of those years, making a living as a full-time musician, serving as music director at his church, writing a book and now hosting one of the most successful syndicated radio shows, “The John Tesh Radio Show: Music and Intelligence for Your Life.”

Fun Fact: Tesh says his “greatest accomplishment” is being a husband and father. He and his wife, actress Connie Selleca, have two children—Prima, their 14-year-old daughter, and Gib, their recently married son who will serve as the emcee for the concert at Hammons Hall.

At 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Big Smith will take center stage. Big Smith is known for their haunting harmonies and Ozark sound. They are a Hammons Hall favorite, and now they are helping us celebrate the holidays.

Fun Fact: The founding member of Big Smith, Mark Bilyeu, earned his master’s in music from MSU. His brother, Jody, has his doctorate in English, is a published poet and taught at MSU.

Fun Fact: Molly Healey is the only female as well as the only non-related band member of Big Smith.

Call the box office today to reserve your tickets for these two holiday concerts!